Seven years ago, Reese chose her family over her career. She turned down a spot at Clever Cloud Institute, walked away from her mentor Dominic, and disappeared from the world she''d once fought to be part of.
Now, if she wanted to another shot, she needed to ask for Dominic''s forgiveness.-
Standing at the gates of the institute, Resse stared up at the ss and steel building that once felt like home. So much looked the same, but she felt different. Seven years had gone by in a blink, and who knew how many new faces had reced the old ones?
A young security guard she didn''t recognize stopped her at the door. "Sorry, ma''am, you need an appointment to enter."
Reese just nodded and stepped aside. She pulled out her phone, scrolling through her contacts, hoping she could find an old friend willing to help. Maybe someone would have Dominic''s number. Not that she was holding her breath— he''d blocked her everywhere after she left, and she hadn''t heard a word from him since.
Before she could call anyone, a familiar, mocking voice interrupted her thoughts. "Well, well. If it isn''t Reese-the legendary love martyr who quit everything for a wedding ring."
Reese looked up. L was walking toward her, arm linked with Sofia''s. The two of them looked like they owned the ce. L had always resented Dominic''s favoritism toward Reese, and their history was a mess of jealousy andpetition. After Reese left, L stuck it out, and rumor had it she''d be one of Dominic''s most trusted team members.
Reese was surprised to see Sofia too, but it made sense. Sofia was a star in Al, and Dominic''s team was the best in the country.
Trying to keep the peace, Reese managed a small smile. "Hey, L."
L gave her a smirk, still holding onto Sofia. Sofia''s smile was polite but distant, like she barely remembered Reese at all.
"So, what are you doing here? Hoping to see Dominic? You can''t seriously think he still remembers you, right?" L''s voice dripped with sarcasm.
Reese didn''t bother answering. She turned to leave, but L called out, "Wait, Reese. If you really want a shot at getting inside, help me out. Go to the airport and pick someone up for us."
She handed Reese a folder. "He''s one of our institute''s main investors, just flew in from London. If you pull this off—and maybe help secure his investment—I''ll take you to see Dominic myself."
Reese eyed the folder. She was almost certain there was a catch. L was never this helpful. But this was her shot. Her best chance at seeing Dominic again. She wasn''t going to let it slip away.
"Deal," Reese said, tucking the folder under her arm and heading off without another word.
L watched her go, a sly look in her eyes. The founder of Iron Financial was notorious for being impossible to please. L had been dreading this assignment, but now Reese was the perfect stand-in.
Sofia leaned closer and whispered, "Should you really bring her to see Dominic? Won''t he be mad?"
L scoffed. "Like Dominic would actually meet with her. She left all of us behind, and now she thinks she can just waltz back in?"
They walked into the building, not noticing two figures standing by an office window on the third floor, watching the scene below.
"Isn''t that Reese down there?" Bryan, Dominic''s assistant, finally spoke up.
The old man didn''t respond, his face unreadable.
Bryan tried again. "If she came back and worked on the Seagull Project, maybe things could turn around..."
"Maybe what?" Dominic cut him off, his tone sharp. "Even if she could fix everything, what happens the next time she decides to run off and have a baby? What are we supposed to do with the project then?"
"If you have time to worry about her, Bryan, maybe you should spend it actually working."
Dominic left, closing the office door behind him. Bryan was left standing by the window, scratching his head. He nced at the battered old mug in Dominic''s hand, which was the same one Reese had given him seven years ago, its paint peeling but clearly still his favorite.
Bryan sighed. Dominic''s moods were getting harder to predict every year.